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The 4th edition of the annual YES INTERNATIONAL! MAGAZINE LECTURE/COCKTAIL PARTY is gradually taking shape and form. In fact, as you read this, the count down has begun – leaving us with only 17 days to the D-day (Friday, June 19, 2015).
A whole lot of things have been unfolding at our end here, and if you don’t mind, we would like to share some of them with you…
THE DATE, VENUE AND TIME – The date remains Friday, June 19, 2015; the venue is the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), Kofo Abayomi Street, Victoria Island, Lagos and the time – 11am prompt. No African time, please.
OUR GUEST SPEAKER, CHAIRMAN AND GUEST OF HONOUR – We chose only the best for these three very important roles. Our Guest Speaker is Mr. Lolu Akinwunmi, Group Managing Director, Prima Garnet Africa and former Chairman, Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria. PGA, of course, is one of the biggest advertising agencies in Nigeria. They’ve been around for over a decade and are very well respected in their sector.
The Chairman is Mr. Biodun Shobanjo, the Chairman of Troyka Holdings, comprising Insight Communications, Halogen Security, Media Perspectives, Optimum Exposures, The Quadrant Company, etc. TH is not only one of the biggest companies in Africa, Mr. Shobanjo, the brain behind it, is Nigeria’s No. 1 ad. man.
For the Guest of Honour, again, we are returning to one of our biggest supporters, the Secretary to the Ogun State Government, Barrister Taiwo Adeoluwa. The real estate giant and astute businessman has always identified with us, beginning from when we started. And we are so, so happy about that.
LECTURE TOPIC – The topic of the lecture is RUNNING A SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS IN NIGERIA – My Experience. Yeah! We get an astute, successful and respected business owner every year to share his experience on running a serious business with us. But beyond that, the person must have integrity. So far, we’ve attracted Mr. Udeme Ufot of SO&U Advertising, Dr. Leo Stan Ekeh of Zinox Computers, Sir Steve Omojafor of STB McCann and now Mr. Lolu Akinwunmi of Prima Garnet. We hate blowing our trumpet, but when it comes to our annual choice of guest speakers, the thing just keeps getting better and better.
THE COMPERE AND MUSICIAN– For the second time, Gbenga Adeyinka 1st, will be anchoring the event. The very, very serious and sound professional has assured us of another marvelous performance on that day. Likewise another ‘two-timer’ and top gospel musician, Sammie Okposo and his XGeneration Band. The Wellu-Wellu crooner brought down the roof of NIIA last year. But this year, he has assured us of upping the ante and we believe him.
OUR DRESS CODE – Not per se. However, you can help us to inject more colour to the event by adding a touch of red to whatever you are wearing. Red is our choice and preferred colour at YES INTERNATIONAL! Magazine. So, in solidarity, you can just ‘dab’ whatever you plan to wear that day with red. Just an appeal. Not compulsory though.
THE OPENING AND CLOSING PRAYERS – As usual, we have zoned that to two men of God; not just two men of God, but the respected ones at that. The opening prayer will be handled by Apostle Anselm Madubuko, General Overseer and Founder, Revival Assembly Church while the closing one will be said by Bishop Isaac Idahosa of Illumination Assembly.
SHORT TAKES – There shall be short takes from some close friends and supporters, particularly those who have stood sentry, supporting us with their all, and whenever we besiege them. We are talking about people like Dr. Muiz Banire, former Lagos State Commissioner for The Environment; Mr. Zeb Ejiro, one of Africa’s biggest film makers; Mr. Chidi Mokeme, star actor, model and TV host; Kanayo .O. Kanayo, star actor and Member Federal Republic of Nigeria (MFR); Mr. Zik Zulu Okafor, cerebral writer and President, Association of Movie Producers, Rev. Fr. Chijioke Azuawusiefe, SJ, a scholar par excellence, Evang. Myke Ikoku, owner of All Seasons Hotel, to mention but few.
THE UNVEILING OF YES CLASSICS! – You remember the annual all colour, all gloss, no gossip, no scandal edition we normally unveil at our lecture/cocktail? The assignment will be executed this year by the Elegant Stallion and Director General, National Centre for Women Development, Abuja, Lady Onyeka Onwenu. She will be doing it with so much dash and drama, but we won’t let the cat out of the bag until that day.
THE ROYAL FATHER AND CHIEF HOST – These two roles have been assigned to two elders who are never tired of saying YES! with us. They are HRM, Oba Adedokun Abolarin, Aronkieye II and Oke Ila of Orangun and Prince Bisi Olatilo, veteran broadcaster and Chairman, Biscon Communications. Now, who can play those roles better than these two people?
DRINKS AND FOOD – You don’t come to our lecture without having a bite and a drink – and for that reason, non-alcoholic beverages and some alcoholic drinks will be provided by Mrs. Victoria Oginni of Blessed Water, Bashiru Tanimowo of Labash and Tetundia Wine (courtesy Alariwo of Africa). All the finger foods that you can think of – spring roll, poff poff, samosa, peppered chicken, kebab and so on will also be available, thanks to Adedaas, the small chops giant. Adedaas Unique Foods International Ltd, according to what they said, can’t wait to excite, enchant and enthrall your pallates on that day. Don’t know about you, but we are already salivating here.
THE EVENT MARSHALS – Yes, it’s a YES INTERNATIONAL! Magazine event, but we’ve chosen to be professional about it by engaging the professionals to handle it for us. Which of the professionals, did we hear you ask? Well, Abelinis, The Project Marshals, of course. Abelinis is led by the hard working, focused and humble Abiodun Oshinibosi. They work for nearly all the multinationals in this country when it comes to events; therefore you can imagine the quantum and quality of experience that will be on display that day.
INVITATION CARDS, LETTERS DOING THE ROUNDS – Except you are not on our master list or even mailing list, you ought to have received either your hard copy (invite) or e-invite by now. The thick, classy and irresistible card, with colours white and red occupying major spaces, has been doing the rounds now for days.
Nonetheless, if you still haven’t gotten yours, just give us a call on 08033062157 or 08023002092 and we shall get in touch with our courier company, Tranex to know what exactly the issue is. If you ask us, this is one annual event that you must not miss. Majorly for two reasons – maximum fun and maximum knowledge. And that is a combination you can’t resist; a combination that can only be dished out by YES INTERNATIONAL! Magazine. Already, we’ve done it one, two, three times. This is the fourth edition, and it sure promises to be bigger, better, brighter and more beautiful. Do keep a date with us on Friday, June 19, 2015, at NIIA, Victoria Island, Lagos, from 11am. See ya!
